Hexenyl Salicylate Cis-3: The Complete Guide To This Aroma Chemical

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining everything you need to know.
Updated on: August 15, 2025
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We verify all information on this page using publicly available standards from The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. The odor description reflects Glooshi's firsthand experience with this material, described as accurately as possible; individual perceptions may vary.

What Is Hexenyl Salicylate Cis-3?

Hexenyl Salicylate Cis-3 is an aroma molecule first reported in the mid 1970s during a wave of research into green tonalities for modern florals. The material is produced via classical organic synthesis that couples a salicylic acid derivative with a cis-3 hexenol segment, giving a stable ester suitable for perfumery use. Because the process relies on well-established industrial reactions it can be scaled efficiently, so the ingredient is considered affordable rather than a luxury raw material.

At room temperature the substance appears as a clear liquid that may show a faint straw tint after prolonged storage. Viscosity is comparable to light vegetable oil which makes it easy to weigh, pour and blend. Although many green notes fall in and out of fashion, Hexenyl Salicylate Cis-3 remains a steady fixture thanks to its ability to smooth out floral accords and extend their life in the finished perfume.

Most fragrance houses classify the molecule as fully synthetic. It is also labelled vegan suitable and readily biodegradable, attributes that broaden its acceptance in today’s environmentally conscious market.

What Does Hexenyl Salicylate Cis-3 Smell Like?

This ingredient sits firmly in the green olfactory family. Off a blotter it opens with a gentle crushed-leaf freshness that suggests cut stems rather than sharp grass. Within minutes a slightly sweet floral nuance peeks through, reminiscent of carnation petals wrapped in greenery. As the hours pass the scent loses some brightness but keeps a pleasant leafy undertone that feels calm and natural rather than loud.

Perfumers divide a fragrance into top, middle and base notes which describe how quickly different ingredients evaporate. Hexenyl Salicylate Cis-3 falls between the middle and the early base. It does not flash off like citrus oils yet it is not as heavy as musks or woods, making it a dependable bridge that links the opening sparkle of a perfume to its deeper heart.

Projection stays moderate, creating a soft aura rather than a room-filling cloud. Longevity is where the molecule shines, with traces detectable on a blotter well past the 48-hour mark. This persistence lets it quietly support more volatile green notes and extend the life of delicate florals without stealing the spotlight.

How & Where To Use Hexenyl Salicylate Cis-3

First off this is a friendly material to handle. It pours easily, behaves well in most solvents and will not overpower the lab with sharp fumes. If you enjoy working with leafy touches that feel polished rather than wild you will likely keep it close to the balance scale.

Perfumers reach for Hexenyl Salicylate Cis-3 when a floral accord needs a quiet green lift that lasts beyond the first spray. It slots neatly into rose, jasmine and carnation builds, smoothing harsh edges while extending petal facets deep into the dry-down. In a lily of the valley theme it can replace part of the classic cis-3-hexenol to gain substantivity without losing freshness. When creating muguet, tea or fig accords it helps bridge sparkling top notes to creamy bases, giving continuity where sharper leaf ingredients fade too fast.

Use level typically sits between traces and 5 percent of the concentrate, with 0.5-2 percent covering most fine fragrance work. At 0.1 percent it whispers a leafy nuance that polishes white florals. Around 1 percent the sweetness rises and the note turns slightly balsamic, supporting carnation or ylang. Pushed toward the upper end it can dominate, bringing a denser green effect comparable to crushed ivy so moderation is advised.

Application wise it performs well in alcohol based perfumes, body mists, soaps, shampoos, conditioners and candles where its good heat stability keeps the note intact. It is only moderate in liquid detergents and tends to suffer in high-alkaline powders or bleach systems where ester hydrolysis dulls the scent, so greener top notes or more robust salicylates may be better choices there.

No special prep is mandatory yet most labs keep a 10 percent solution in dipropylene glycol or ethanol for accurate pipetting. The neat material stays fluid at room temperature but giving the bottle a gentle roll before weighing ensures any settled trace impurities mix back in.

Safety Information

Working with aroma chemicals always calls for sensible precautions to keep the lab and the perfumer safe.

  • Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 percent or weaker solution in an appropriate solvent before smelling to avoid overwhelming the nose.
  • Do not sniff from the bottle: waft vapors toward you from a blotter or strip instead of taking a direct inhale from the container.
  • Ventilation: blend in a well ventilated workspace so airborne concentration stays low.
  • Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to prevent accidental skin or eye contact.
  • Health considerations: some individuals may experience irritation or sensitisation. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a healthcare professional before handling. Short exposure to low levels is generally considered safe yet prolonged or high exposure can be harmful.

Always consult the most recent Material Safety Data Sheet supplied with your batch and review it regularly as revisions occur. Follow any applicable IFRA guidelines for maximum usage to ensure your finished fragrance stays within accepted safety limits.

Storage And Disposal

When stored well Hexenyl Salicylate Cis-3 keeps its full strength for roughly two to three years, sometimes longer. The clock starts once the drum or bottle is first opened so note the date on a sticker for easy reference.

Refrigeration is optional yet helpful. A spot at 4-10 °C slows oxidation and keeps the color from drifting toward yellow. If fridge space is tight a cool cupboard that stays below 20 °C and out of direct sunlight usually works fine.

Use bottles with tight polycone caps for both the neat material and any dilutions. These liners grip the neck and stop slow leaks that can thin out a formula over time. Dropper bottles often let air creep in so they are best avoided.

Try to keep each container as full as possible. Less headspace means less oxygen and that means fewer off notes later. Transferring the remainder into a smaller bottle once levels get low is a quick fix.

Label every vessel clearly with the ingredient name batch number and relevant hazard icons. A sharpie on tape fades so printed lab labels last longer and keep the shelf tidy.

For disposal remember the molecule is readily biodegradable but concentrated amounts should never go straight down the drain. Small lab leftovers can be mixed with an absorbent like kitty litter then placed in the chemical waste bin. Larger volumes should go through a licensed disposal service that handles fragrance esters. Rinse empty bottles with warm soapy water before recycling the glass or plastic if local rules allow.

Summary

Hexenyl Salicylate Cis-3 is a green toned ester that acts like a soft leafy blanket for floral accords. It smells of crushed stems with a hint of petal sweetness and stays on skin or blotter for days.

Because it bridges the gap between sparkling tops and deeper hearts it fits into rose jasmine muguet tea fig and even certain woody blends. It is fun to tinker with at levels from a whisper to a bold 5 percent and it plays nicely in alcohol bases soaps shampoos and candles.

The cost sits in the mid range so you can use it freely without blowing the budget. Just watch its moderate stability in high alkaline cleaners and remember that too much can turn the scent heavy. Treat it right in storage use solid caps keep bottles topped up and you will have a reliable green helper ready for countless creative trials.

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